PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitriy Kosarev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Szilveszter Szalay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dmitriy Kosarev has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kosarev
vs
Szalay

189 cm
24
190 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

200 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dmitriy Kosarev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Szilveszter Szalay!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Szalay defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kosarev.
Szalay with a poor takedown

and Kosarev counters by moving into the clinch.
Szalay can't get the takedown.

Kosarev manages to pull guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kosarev working a defensive guard here.

Kosarev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Szalay doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Szalay manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kosarev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Szalay kicks Kosarev off and gets back to his feet.

Kosarev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Szalay sprawls well initially but Kosarev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szalay is pressing down on Kosarev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kosarev stays in close to Szalay's body and controls the position.
Kosarev won't allow Szalay to sweep him here.
Szalay keeping full guard, as Kosarev tries to pass.

Szalay working for submissions but it's allowed Kosarev to get to half guard.
Szalay is pressing down on Kosarev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Szalay looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szalay is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kosarev tries to stand but Szalay is controlling from the bottom.
Kosarev looking to pass the guard.
Kosarev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kosarev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kosarev with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szalay trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Szalay not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Szalay has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kosarev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Szalay is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Szalay wants to stand and escape but Kosarev is having none of it.
Kosarev wants to control from the top but Szalay keeps moving.
Szalay is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kosarev rushes Szalay and presses him up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kosarev as Szalay tries to tie him up.
Szalay is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kosarev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dmitriy Kosarev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Szilveszter Szalay.
Szalay is pressed up against the cage. Kosarev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Szalay down to the mat. Szalay avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kosarev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Szalay napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kosarev is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dmitriy Kosarev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Szalay shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kosarev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Szalay's guard.
Szalay trying to control the position.
Szalay keeping moving, preventing Kosarev from controlling successfully.
Kosarev wants to stand but Szalay has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kosarev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Szalay on the ground.

Kosarev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Szalay manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kosarev has Szalay in his guard.

Kosarev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Szalay uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosarev is trying to get back to his feet.
Szalay working away.
Szalay trying to control the position but Kosarev is working away.
Szalay moves into full mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Szalay thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szalay thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Szalay punching from mount but Kosarev doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Szalay looking to control but Kosarev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kosarev holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Szalay tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Kosarev tries to hold on but Szalay postures up.
Kosarev tries to improve his position but instead Szalay has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szalay trying to control momentarily.
Szalay not allowing Kosarev to control his hands.

Szalay working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Szalay working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kosarev looking very determined here, making life difficult for Szalay.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szalay is not going to allow Kosarev to sit and survive in this position.
Kosarev looking very determined here, making life difficult for Szalay.
Kosarev tries to roll but Szalay sticks to his back.

Szalay is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Szalay trying to control momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Szalay is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Szilveszter Szalay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Szalay shoots for a takedown but Kosarev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kosarev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Szalay has his takedown stuffed

and Kosarev counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Szalay's guard now.
Szalay trying to control the position.
Szalay avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kosarev slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Szalay.
Szalay trying to hold on to Kosarev's head to control him but Kosarev postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosarev passes to full mount!
Kosarev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Szalay is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Kosarev stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Szalay scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kosarev doesn't seem bothered though.
Szalay with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kosarev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Dmitriy Kosarev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Szilveszter Szalay.
Szalay takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosarev throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Szalay to regain full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Szalay is looking for a triangle but Kosarev pushes his legs off easily.

Szalay is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Szalay preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kosarev trying to control but Szalay is working from the bottom.

Szalay is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosarev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Kosarev stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Szalay closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Szalay prevents the takedown attempt.
Szalay wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Szalay manages to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szalay working a defensive guard here.
Kosarev wants to control from the top but Szalay keeps moving.
Szalay lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kosarev!
Szalay prevents Kosarev from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Szalay wants to control but Kosarev has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Kosarev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitriy Kosarev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kosarev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitriy Kosarev!